Obituary of Mary Wheeler Mraz

Mary Wheeler Mraz, 60, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away August 29, 2020 in Colorado Springs after a three-year battle with cancer. She was born August 25, 1960 to Elmer and Edna Wheeler in Olney, Maryland. Mary graduated from Northern High School in 1978 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Shepherd College, West Virginia in 1981. Mary met her husband, Rick, at an Air Force picnic in Washington, DC. Together they traveled throughout the US and during Rick's Air Force career raised two wonderful children, Richard "Luke" and Megan. Mary was most proud of being a Mom. In their formative years, she was a homemaker and always had snacks, crafts, books, games, dress up boxes of clothes to keep their imaginations and playtime fun. She also passed the love of creativity and reading to both children. Mary was known to be strong and independent, qualities that were perfect for Rick's career in the Air Force. When duty called, she would take care of the homefront, take the kids on excursions, vacations, and make home repairs. After twenty years and nine moves, Rick and Mary settled in Colorado Springs in 2002. Mary worked in a variety of jobs. When she met Rick, Mary worked as an office telephone system trainer in Washington, DC. She served as a docent at the Yorktown Battlefield and the Historic Jamestown Colony in Virginia. She worked part-time in fabric and yarn stores. Mary always had fiber and sewing projects on-hand. She quilted, sewed the kid's clothes, tie-dyed, created fabrics on her loom, spun and hand-dyed yarn, knitted, crocheted, and cross-stitched until her last days. As an entrepreneur, Mary applied her passion to her yarn shop in Colorado Springs, "Knitter's Kove". She met so many wonderful people and lifelong friends through her shop. Mary was a quilter. Her friends at Ruth's got to know Mary during Block of the Month sessions, quilting classes, and classes she taught.Mary was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Wheeler; and mother, Edna Wheeler. Mary is survived by her husband of thirty-six years, Rick; son, Luke (Tiffany); daughter, Megan (Joe); three grandchildren, Micah (11), Beatrice (2), and Amelia (1); brother, Jimmy (Kathy) Wheeler; and sister, Cathy (Ralph) Dinges.A private Memorial Service will be held at 4:00PM, Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The service will be streamed live. The link to watch the Memorial Service is on Mary's Tribute Wall on The Springs Funeral Services website. Reception to follow.Due to COVID restrictions, family and close friends will have priority for the memorial service. The family will hold an Open Reception following the service from 6:00PM-8:00PM at�Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 530 Communication Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905. (We are reserving the time through 6:00PM for those onsite and to allow travel time for those watching the livestream). Please RSVP for the Open Reception so we can properly plan for refreshments and catering at: http://evite.me/AKWHkhMPpKIn lieu of flowers, memorial contributions Mary's memory may be made to the Ray of Hope Cancer Foundations: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/ray-of-hope-cancer-foundation/mary-mraz-charitable-donation Events Memorial Service Wednesday, October 7, 2020 4:00PM Private Service - Live Stream Available Webcast Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Reception Wednesday, October 7, 2020 6:00PM - 8:00PM Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center 530 Communication Circle Colorado Springs, CO 80905 Phone: (719) 309-4714